Plymouth 0 Albion 0

ALBION gained invaluable minutes on the pitch as they stepped up their preparations for the 2016/17 Premier League season with a 0-0 draw at Plymouth Argyle.

Ben Foster, Claudio Yacob, Matt Phillips, Saido Berahino, Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson all played 90 minutes on the south coast with the Baggies’ opening day trip to Crystal Palace now only a fortnight away.

Tony Pulis’ men had the first clear-cut chance of the game when James McClean dragged wide from 15 yards after being played through by an excellent Salomon Rondon pass.

Jonas Olsson thought he had broken the deadlock two minutes before the interval but saw his low close-range volley cleared off the line by Gary Sawyer.

Ryan Donaldson blasted just wide of the left post from Jimmy Spencer’s right-flank cross on the stroke of half-time as the hosts went in search of an opener.

The Baggies continued to press for a goal and Phillips came close moments after the restart when his fierce 20-yard effort flew just wide of the left upright.

The Baggies came even closer on 54 when Vincent Dorel pulled off a magnificent save to keep out Nauris Bulvitis’ misdirected clearance from Dawson’s right-wing cross.

Spencer headed wide of the right upright from Oscar Threlkeld’s left-flank ball with ten minutes remaining.

James Morrison, Craig Gardner and Jonathan Leko joined the attack for the second half but the Baggies left Home Park frustrated by some excellent Argyle defending.

Albion remain on the south coast for Monday’s friendly at Torquay United (ko 7.30pm).